Residents across northern Illinois should brace for a major blast of blustery cold starting Thursday and lasting into the weekend.
After reaching nearly 50 degrees on Tuesday, temperatures are plummeting.
And as the nation celebrates the birthday of civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr. with a long weekend, the region is expected to be plunged into a period of bitter cold.
What’s the forecast in the Rockford region?
Thursday: The National Weather Service is projecting a high near 25 but with wind chill values making it feel as low a 1 degree. North northwest winds are expected of 5 to 10 mph shifting to southwest winds in the afternoon. Wind gusts could be as high as 15 mph. Expect snow fall Thursday night with an inch expected to accumulate overnight…